Pres. Obama often trumpets that his White House is more transparent and open than any other. But it's clear he does not apply that approach to his political fund-raising.

The president attended three fundraisers last Thursday in Chicago. His political operation revealed the price range of tickets, from $100 to $35,800 per person, and also disclosed the number of people in attendance. But it declined to provide an official estimate of how much money would be raised. Reporters could try to estimate the amounts.

Pres. Obama heads west Wednesday on a three-day trip to California and Nevada during which he'll be attending six fundraising events for his re-election.